Collège de France Award - 2026 Edition

The Collège de France Award for Young Researchers 2026 will be awarded in the field of mathematics and computer science.

The theme of the prize is : " Mathematical sciences for the planet ".

Mathematical modeling, numerical simulations and data science are all powerful and essential tools for advancing knowledge on subjects such as climate and the environment. As well as contributing to our understanding of scientific and social issues, these approaches are also helping to advance research in mathematics and computer science, particularly on issues of model and computational economy. By rewarding a young researcher who has contributed original ideas in these fields, the Collège de France wishes to highlight the role of the mathematical sciences in meeting major global challenges.

The prize is worth 20 000 euros. The winner is also invited to give a public lecture at the Collège de France on his or her work.

Applications will be received from 1^st march to April 30 2026, exclusively by electronic submission. The winner will be notified in early July 2026.

The 2026 jury will be made up of three professors from Collège de France and two external members : Nalini Anantharaman (co-president, Collège de France) ; Xavier Leroy (co-president, Collège de France) ; Edouard Bard (Collège de France) ; Laure Saint-Raymond (Institut des hautes études scientifiques) ; Nigel Gilles Yoccoz (Arctic University of Norway).

Candidates must be in touch with a university professor or active research director, who will support their application with a letter of introduction and recommendation. The application must be submitted by the candidate via a dedicated digital platform.

Before submitting their application, candidates are invited to carefully read the full prize regulations, available below.

Submission of applications will open on this page on 1^st March 2026 and close on 30 April 2026 at midnight.

Candidates will be informed of the results at the beginning of July 2026.

Every year, the Collège de France Award is presented to a young researcher chosen for the excellence of his or her career and the innovative nature of his or her contributions to public research.
The prize consists of a cash award of 20 000 euros and an invitation to give a public lecture at the Collège de France.

Article 1 - Eligible candidates

Eligible candidates must, at the time of submitting their application, have their administrative residence in France, or exceptionally abroad in the case of French schools abroad and UMIFREs, and be employed, as a full or contract researcher, in a research unit or laboratory belonging to an organization contributing to French public research, as defined in articles D112-8 to D112-11 of the French Research Code. They must have successfully defended their thesis at a French or foreign university less than 7 years previously, and have an outstanding research record as evidenced by publications and contributions to scientific events.

If candidates :

• have direct family ties with one of the members of the jury ;
• have collaborated or published jointly with a member of the jury within the last 7 years, as part of their thesis defended at a French or foreign university, or since obtaining their thesis.

The jury member concerned will withdraw while the dossier is examined.

Article 2 - Prize endowment

The prize is awarded at a ceremony by the Chairman of the Collège de France and is endowed with 20 000 euros.

It also includes :

• an invitation to give a public lecture at the Collège de France by the winner ;
• communication and promotion of the winning research on the Collège de France website and social networks ;
• the award of the Collège de France medal engraved with the winner's name.

The winner agrees to be present at the award ceremony and to comply with any requests from the Collège de France concerning communication and public appearances.

Article 3 - Eligibility requirements

• The thesis must have been defended in a French or foreign university for less than 7 years at the time of the closing date of the call for applications, i.e. April 30 2026.
  The eligibility period indicated may be extended beyond 7 years in the following circumstances, duly documented : maternity leave (extension of 18 months for each child born after obtaining the doctorate), paternity leave, adoption leave, long-term illness (extension equivalent to the period of leave).
• Have their administrative residence in France, or exceptionally abroad in the case of French schools abroad and UMIFREs, and be employed, as a tenured or contract employee, in a research unit or laboratory belonging to an organization contributing to French public research, as defined in articles D112-8 to D112-11 of the French Research Code.
• The application must be accompanied by a detailed letter of introduction and recommendation from a university professor or research director working for an organization involved in French public research, as defined in articles D112-8 to D112-11 of the French Research Code.

Article 4 - Evaluation criteria

• The research work must be in line with the annual theme proposed by the Collège de France. For the 2026 prize, the theme will be " Mathematical sciences for the planet : mathematical modeling, digital simulations and data science are all powerful and essential tools for advancing knowledge on subjects such as climate and the environment. As well as contributing to our understanding of scientific and social issues, these approaches are also helping to advance research in mathematics and computer science, particularly in terms of model and computational economy. By rewarding a young researcher who has contributed original ideas in these fields, the Collège de France wishes to highlight the role of the mathematical sciences in meeting major global challenges. "
• Scientific excellence (track record and publications).
• The innovative nature of the work.

Article 5 - Submission of applications and selection procedures

Completed applications must be submitted by the deadline indicated, and must be accompanied by a letter of introduction and recommendation from an active research director or university professor, or from a member of a body assimilated to university professors within the meaning of article 1 of the decree of June 15 1992 establishing the list of bodies of civil servants assimilated to university professors.

The application is submitted by the candidate on a dedicated platform, open during the annual application deadlines at www.college-de-france.fr/prix-2026

The documents to be enclosed, in French or English only, and in .pdf format, are as follows :

• a curriculum vitae ;
• a letter of motivation (2 pages maximum) written by the candidate, describing the main contribution of his or her work with regard to the prize criteria and the theme of the year ;
• a list of publications, patents and prizes ;
• a thesis abstract (1 page maximum) ;
• a letter of introduction and recommendation from the candidate's current university professor or research director (1 single letter, 2 pages maximum). This person may not be a member of the selection panel, nor be related to the candidate ;
• a document attesting to the position held within a laboratory or research unit (contract, appointment order, etc.).
• If applicable : document justifying the extension of the eligibility period beyond 7 years.

No other documents will be taken into consideration.

A university professor or research director may submit only one application.

Applications are accepted exclusively via the digital platform. No paper applications will be considered. In the event of multiple applications, whether intentional or accidental, only the last application submitted will be considered.

At the time of submission, all candidates acknowledge that they have read the present regulations and accept their provisions in full.

An internal committee of the Collège de France will check the administrative admissibility of applications against these rules. Any application which is incomplete, completed after the closing date, submitted after the deadline or which does not meet the conditions of these rules will not be evaluated.

Article 6 - Jury composition

A scientific jury will examine the eligible entries and select this year's winner.

The jury is made up of five members : three professors from the Collège de France appointed by the Chairman of the Collège de France on the recommendation of the extended Bureau of the Collège de France assembly, and two outside personalities appointed by these three professors.

The jury for the 2026 edition is as follows : Nalini Anantharaman (co-president, Collège de France) ; Xavier Leroy (co-president, Collège de France) ; Edouard Bard (Collège de France) ; Laure Saint-Raymond (Institut des hautes études scientifiques) ; Nigel Gilles Yoccoz (Arctic University of Norway).

Candidates will not be informed of their application evaluations. The jury is sovereign and does not justify its decisions.

Article 7 - 2026 Prize timetable

• Submission of entries : between 1^stMarch 2026 and 30 April 2026 before midnight, Paris time, the date of submission of the complete file on the platform being taken as proof.
• Public announcement of the winner : September 2026.
• Awards presented by the Chairman of the Collège de France : November 2026.

Article 8 - Contact and information

Collège de France
11, place Marcelin-Berthelot
75231 Paris Cedex 05